Islamabad – The Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) has emphasized that tobacco taxation in Pakistan should be viewed primarily as a public health measure rather than a tool for revenue generation.
Experts at a recent seminar organized by SDPI called for a unified tax system on all tobacco products to reduce consumption and improve public health outcomes.
Dr. Sajid Amin Javed, Deputy Executive Director of SDPI, underscored the importance of high tobacco taxation as an effective strategy to curb smoking. He noted that while the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is contemplating tax reductions on tobacco, health professionals and policy researchers strongly advocate for tax increases. He urged the FBR to officially document tobacco taxation as a control strategy, ensuring uniform tax policies across all tobacco products and discouraging smoking through higher costs.
Dr. Abid Qaiyum Suleri, Executive Director of SDPI, introduced Pakistan’s first-ever Tobacco Control Knowledge Hub during the seminar on tobacco taxation. He stated that this hub will serve as a central platform for research, advocacy, and policy discussions related to tobacco control. He stressed that the hub will bridge information gaps by providing analytical reports, real-time data monitoring, and policy recommendations to decision-makers, particularly within the Ministry of Finance.
Dr. Jadambaa Narantuya, Cluster Lead for Disease Control at the WHO Country Office, highlighted that non-communicable diseases (NCDs) linked to tobacco use cause over 800,000 deaths annually. She reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s efforts to reduce tobacco consumption and announced an investment case study aimed at strengthening policy advocacy.
Asif Iqbal, Managing Director of SPDC, presented data on Pakistan’s tobacco market, revealing that 80% of sales are controlled by 15 brands, while illicit trade remains a significant challenge. He noted that locally produced untaxed cigarettes make up 21.3% of the market, with smuggled cigarettes contributing an additional 11.9%, bringing total illicit trade to 33%.
Dr. Waseem Iftikhar Janjua from SDPI highlighted that Pakistan is joining a global network of knowledge hubs in countries such as India, Australia, and South Africa. He emphasized the necessity of a structured platform for evidence-based policy discussions on tobacco control, particularly in Pakistan and the broader Mediterranean region, including the Middle East and North Africa.
He further analyzed Pakistan’s track-and-trace system, warning that as a signatory to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), Pakistan must ensure that tax monitoring remains government-led. He cautioned against industry-controlled systems that could facilitate tax evasion and illicit trade.
Dr. Matiur Rehman, Head of Tobacco Control at the National Health Services Academy, pointed out that Pakistan, as a tobacco-producing country, requires a comprehensive policy to support farmers in shifting away from tobacco cultivation. He also noted the lack of coordination among government ministries, with one promoting tobacco production while another attempts to regulate and tax it.
Syed Ali Wasif Naqvi, Head of the Centre for Health Policy and Innovation, demonstrated the functionalities of the Tobacco Control Knowledge Hub. He showcased how it will act as a resource center, providing research-based policy recommendations, capacity-building tools, and advocacy platforms for policymakers, researchers, and civil society members.
The seminar concluded with experts reaffirming their commitment to strengthening tobacco control policies in Pakistan. SDPI pledged continued efforts to push for higher tobacco taxation and the implementation of a transparent, well-regulated monitoring system to curb illicit trade and promote public health.